Having attracted attention in particular for the energy and boldness in its approach to the works of J. S. Bach, Café Zimmermann is now exploring the repertoire of the Red Priest, beginning with Estro Armonico, one of the most emblematic masterpieces of the Baroque repertoire. The great clarity of the ensemble’s interpretations as much as the quality of its instruments (including a quartet by the Italian instrument maker Guadagnini), and Pablo Valetti’s fiery virtuosity are present to make us rediscover this masterful work.

Europa Galante is one of several outstanding specialist period instrument ensembles that have come to prominence on the early music scene in the last decade. These specialist players explore and exploit the strength of their period instruments rather than being restricted by the weaknesses. On this release at their best I especially enjoyed their Concerto in B flat major, RV 383a with its exhilarating played opening Allegro. A plaintive violin solo in the Largo e cantabile features over a clock-like rhythm followed by the furiously paced and energetic closing Allegro. The inspiration is variable and the level of memorability is often limited. A good example of this is the Concerto in F major, RV 291 that opens with a frantic violin solo in a movement that outstays its welcome. The very short central Larghetto is a rather forgettable with a rhythmically determined closing Allegro that feels breathlessly frantic. (Michael Cookson)

The National University Library in Turin houses several extremely important musical collections, including over 450 Vivaldi manuscripts, many of them autographs. With the purpose of exploring this immense heritage and bringing to life many unpublished works, the Instituto per i Beni Musicali in Piemonte, in concert with Naïve Classique and the Library of Turin, has undertaken to record a complete edition on CD of the Vivaldi scores held in Turin.

Vivaldi in English? The Italian composer never visited this country, but his music was played here: Handel's publisher John Walsh issued some of the concertos in London, perhaps pirated in pre-copyright days. This ingenious new recording includes the six of Vivaldi's Op 4 published by Walsh in 1728 (actually five from the set, with one otherwise unknown piece, plus one filler), and the result is a demonstration of a virtuosity that would suit English tastes. But what clinches this recording is the vivid, earthy playing by Biondi and his (Italian) forces.

Vivaldi in English? The Italian composer never visited this country, but his music was played here: Handel's publisher John Walsh issued some of the concertos in London, perhaps pirated in pre-copyright days. This ingenious new recording includes the six of Vivaldi's Op 4 published by Walsh in 1728 (actually five from the set, with one otherwise unknown piece, plus one filler), and the result is a demonstration of a virtuosity that would suit English tastes. But what clinches this recording is the vivid, earthy playing by Biondi and his (Italian) forces.

"The Gramophone Database has seldom been without a decent recording of these ceaselessly fascinating concertos, though none begins to approach this new version in respect of fantasy and exuberance...this new two-CD issue has restored my faith in [Europa Galante's] ability to bring something entirely fresh and vital to oft-performed repertoire, illuminating well-trodden paths with affective articulation and eloquently voiced inflexions...immensely satisfying." -NA, Gramophone

The Four Seasons' is obviously included in this box set and These works in their original form as part of the 12 violin concertos `I'l Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Inventione' (The Trial of Harmony and Invention).
`L'Estro Armonico' (Harmonic Inspiration), `La Stravaganza', ´La Cetra´ violin concertos. There are also concertos for a whole variety of instruments such as recorder, organ, oboe, bassoon, lute and mandolin as well as other, more unusual, concertos per archi, concertos da camera, concertos for diverse instruments, for stringed instruments, for viola d'amore, and many, many more. The huge range of music in this collection, which also includes for good measure the oratorio `Juditha Triumphans', the opera `L'Olimpiade, several cantatas and choral works.